Round # 1 Pick # 8
TJ Hockenson TE Iowa
College Stats: 23 games 73/1080/9 rec 1443 snaps 89.3 PFF Rating
Combine: 6046 251 4.7 17 37.5 1003 7.02 4.23
Analysis:
The Lions took a Tight End in the first round for third time since 2009. Neither Brandon Pettigrew (2009) nor Eric Ebron (2014) played up to their draft status. Hockenson carried top 10 grades from some NFL Draft Analyst including NFL Draft Scout and Daniel Jeremiah. Considered a complete tight end , he can both catch and block.He should be on the field quite a lot for Lions.
I graded him as a 6.8 or starter as rookie. I would like to see go him near # 20. He played for Brian Ferentz at Iowa. Ferentz was a former TE coach for the Patriots. I'm sure Bob Quinn received a good scouting report from Iowa.
I expect to see a lot 11 personnel. Base offense with James and Hock at TE, Marvin and Kenny G at WR.
Round # 2 Pick # 43
Jahlani Tavai ILB Hawaii
College: Hawaii 47 games 391 tackles 17.5 sacks 2 int 3 FF 3 FR 8 PBU
Pro Day: 6023 246 4.86 33.5 902 4.41
Analysis:
A complete surprise in the 2nd round. I had a undrafted free agent grade. Pro Football Weekly and NFL Draft Scout both had 7th round grades. He missed the last 6 games with a shoulder. He had some red flags with character, a fight in college. He was rated by Pro Football Focus 69th in tackling efficiency among LB in this draft class.
He should play the stack LB. Maybe the middle. This could allow Jarrad Davis to move to Will. Has excellent special teams potential.
I watched two games on Tavai (Wyoming, SJSU) A couple things are evident. He plays another different roles for Hawaii. He played over the TE, Edge rusher, Off the ball LB and LB over the slot.
He has strong arms and controls TE and guards. He plays really hard. All of the place and always around the ball. His lack of speed shows up but his instincts and effort helps to offset it. Not a great pass rusher. Has a good first step but lacks length and bend to beat tackles. Has a good inside rip move.
Round # 3 Pick # 81
Will Harris S Boston College
College: 50 games 225 tackles 17 PBu 5 int 6 FR 1 FF
Combine: 6013 207 4.41 20 36.5 1003 6.81 4.1
Analysis:
A multi-talented safety from Boston College. Can play in the box (27.4%) , middle (38.1%) or the slot (30.9%). Excellent combine. Known as a nasty hitter. Has immediate special teams impact. Will challenge for playing time in the secondary. Traded a 6th to move up to draft him at #81.
Round # 4 Pick #
Austin Bryant DE Clemson
College: 45 games 130 tackles 37 TFL 21 Sacks 1 Int 1 fr 2 ff 2 PBU
Combine: 6037 271 Did not test due to a Pec Injury
Analysis:
The fourth Clemson D Lineman to be drafted. A pec injury during the season kept him from working out for scouts. He is a clone of Trey Flowers but not quite as explosive. Will be a guy how can be a rotational player for many seasons. Can play outside or slide down inside. Good value after a trade down to pick up a 6th round pick.
Round # 5 Pick # 146
Amani Oruwariye CB Penn State
College: 48 games 107 tackles 30 PBU 8 Int 1 FF
Combine:6016 204 4.47 17 36.5 1000 6.82 4.16
Analysis:
Sliding to the 5th round, Amani offers good value. He will start off his career as back up hopefully transition to starting role outside. He has side and speed to compete outside. Not a physical player so special teams duty might be a challenge. Has upside but is project at this point.
Pro Football Focus loved this guy. Rated him # 36 overall and the # 5 CB. Raved his about his win rate at the Senior Bowl.
Round # 6 Pick 184
Travis Fulgham WR Old Dominion
College: 39 games 128/2044/18 rec
Combine: 6023 215 4.58 4.55 15 36.5 1006 6.84 4.22
Analysis:
Small school guy with size. Played at the Senior Bowl and showed he has potential. Pro Football Focus #128 overall. Has a shot to make the team. He could back up Kenny G.
Round # 6 Pick # 186
Ty Johnson RB Maryland
College: 43 games 348/2635/17 29/381/2 rec 48/1194/2 KOR
Pro Day: 5103 203 4.4 13 34.5 1003
Analysis:
Love this guy. Has speed and elusiveness. Really played well at the East West Game. Can catch and return kicks. Could replace Theo as a third down back. Does not have a lot carries. This guy has potential.
Round #7 Pick #224
Isaac Nauta TE Georgia
College: 42 games 68/905/3
Combine: 6032 244 4.91 4.83 19 28" 906 7.44 4.43
Analysis:
A deep TE class. The Lions did their work and could not resist Nauta. I liked him when I saw him live. He tested poorly but is tough guy who could fit in as a # 3 TE. Will challenge for a roster spot. 8th rated TE by PFF.
Round # 7 Pick #229
P.J. Johnson DT Arizona
College: Arizona 9 games 31 tackles 3 sacks 2 Fr 1 FF
City College of San Fran 10 games 17 tackles 4.5 sacks
Sacramento State 11 games 13 tackles 1 sack 1 ff
Pro Day: 6037 323 5.34 18 24.5 710 7.89 4.97
Analysis:
A guy the Lions worked out during the process. A big guy who could make the team as # 4 DT. A junior snacks. Was PFF # 10 rated DT vs. The Run in the draft class.
Really like getting depth at Safety - I also like that this is a guy who knows Paul P personally from BC - in the 3rd with Glover no longer with the team.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised at all if Agnew's role as kick returner is challenged or stolen by Johnson, and moving on from Theo (a top 20 cap hit at RB) at 4.6m can open sneaky cap space.
You'll never hear me complain about taking a productive defensive linemen from Clemson.
I don't love the value of Tavai in the 2nd, but I don't know what the lions board looks like. If he's capable of playing stack inside backer, gets off blocks effectively, and allows Jarrod to slide outside or rush more often, I'm ok with the selection.
Three things I noticed watching his tape, is (1) that he finishes EVERY play around the ball, regardless if he made the tackle; (2) that he was asked to do a ton, and has decent reps doing a variety of responsibilities; and (3) if we start doing the HAKA as a team before games, that's instantly worth a minimum of 2 extra wins this year.
I only wish we would have targeted a guard (although im chugging the Blue Beau Kool-aid), or a developmental swing tackle with Decker's rookie deal winding down.